A New South Wales court has been presented with disturbing footage of Daniel Billings driving away from the home of Molly Ticehurst after he murdered her in a violent stabbing attack in April 2024. During his supreme court sentencing hearing in Orange on Thursday, Billings was seen raising a bloodied hand to his face while recording a video message, stating, "I can’t believe I just did that."
Courtroom Reactions
Gasps filled the courtroom as the footage of Billings driving through dark streets in Forbes was played. The 31-year-old has pleaded guilty to the murder of 28-year-old Ticehurst. This crime has sparked a national movement against domestic and gendered violence.
Other videos shown during the hearing depicted Billings weeping, smoking, and swearing. In a recording made just hours before the murder on April 21, he stared into the camera and snarled, "Molly Jean Ticehurst, well you’ve done it, you’ve succeeded in whatever you wanted out of all of this."
Details of the Crime
According to a statement of agreed facts, Billings smashed Ticehurst’s bedroom window and stabbed her 15 times with a hunting knife in an attack that lasted less than a minute. In the weeks leading up to the murder, he had repeatedly threatened to break into her home and kill her. Just two weeks prior, Ticehurst had made a statement to police, leading to Billings being charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and domestic violence offenses.
